Airport power outage delayed some flights

San Diego  A transformer blew out at Lindbergh Field’s Terminal 1 Saturday evening, causing some Southwest Airlines flight delays through most of the night.

The blow-out on the terminal roof occurred about 6:30 p.m., but did not start a fire, San Diego Airport Authority spokeswoman Cheryl Brown said.

Lights went out, but came back on when an emergency generator kicked in, Brown said.

Electricity stayed out in the Southwest Airlines area of the terminal for gates 1-10. Crews had to push stairs by hand to the doors of arriving jets so passengers could exit, and luggage was moved by hand instead of carousel, Brown said.

Some departures were delayed a short time as TSA workers had to hand-screen the luggage and passengers. Brown said traffic for the airline was light, so delays were not extensive.

San Diego Gas & Electric Co. crews were working to restore power to the building by 11 p.m.